Federal Style Hall Table

This table is very compact but has enough capacity to handle those entry way package and mail perch duties as well as storing car keys, bus schedules, maps or whatever your transportation mode requires near the residence exit. My target recipient appreciates the Federal like style of this piece and it fits well in her DC town home which has a small entryway. I started with the plan for a “Graceful Hall Table” in FWW # 212 and reduced the table length for space available. I also simplified a few details for more efficient use of the stock. The referenced article ignored some basic construction details such as the top attachment approach so I improvised from other designs.

The table is made from Genuine Mahogany with drawers constructed of solid poplar sides and birch bottom panel. The 1/16th inch stringing used to decorate the drawer faces and the floating side panels is English Holly. The top also includes a pencil roll to constrain loose items and to add some style. Other visual features are the recessed drawer faces and panels with mason miter stop chamfers. Overall the table is 36 inch long, 12 ¼ inch deep, and 32 ½ inch tall.Surprisingly rigid for the shallow top frame depth the entire table weighs in at only about 20 lbs. The drawers have simple “flop-stops” screwed to the back of the upper front rail. The table exterior is finished with a starting coat of Watco Natural to bring out some depth in the newly finished mahogany followed by 5 or more coats of Minwax Wipe-On Polyurethane. The top has extra coats to try to build some mar resistance.

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